Book carton



April 25, 1967 D. H. ROUS 3,315,869

BOOK CARTON Filed May 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 g r 11 SL SL SL C W AFIG. 3 4o 2 42 CHW l 77 FIG. 4

I 46 26 INVENTOR.

DAVID H. ROUS ATTORNEYS AM 25, m? D. H. mus 3,315,869

7 BOOK CARTON Filed May 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DAVID H.ROUS ATTORNEYS Ami? 25, 19617 D. H. ROUS 3,315,862

BOOK CARTON Filed y 19, 1965 5 Sheets-She t WWW; mm

j M42 5 mlg INVENTOR DAVID H, Rous SQWJF ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,315,869 BOOK CARTGN David H. Rous, New York, N.Y., assignor to FederalCarton Corporation, North Bergen, N.J-, a corporation of New York FiledMay 19, 1965, Ser. No. 457,124 10 Claims. (Cl. 229--34) This inventionis directed to features of construction for cardboard cartons orcontainers suitable for the packaging and transportation of variousitems of commerce, but particularly useful for books.

One object of the invention is to provide a container constructed so asto provide extra protection for its content at the corners.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a fibrouscontainer having integral reinforcements for the corners in the form ofmulti-plies of the container material.

Still another object of the invention is to devise a single-piecefibrous container having, when erected, tubular walls along an oppositepair of sides but, prior to erection, collapsed to minimize its bulkduring storage and transportation to the place of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of manufactureof this type of a configuration and dimension suitable for feeding,erection, filling and closure rapidly by automatic machinery.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a container blankconstructed to have end walls and cover flaps which are reinforced attheir sides by multiple plies of the material of which the container isconstructed for reinforcing it at its corners.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention will be apparent fromthe following disclosure of the two embodiments of this invention shownin the accompany-' ing drawings for illustrative purposes.

In those drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of the single-piece fibrous carton blank, fromwhich one form of the container of this invention can be made;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the upper half of the blank of FIGURE 1 in anintermediate state of processe;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2with portions broken away, showing the structure in enlarged dimensions;

FIGURE 4 is a view of the structure of FIGURE 3, showing the manner inwhich the tubular side walls are forced to final position at the time oferection of the carton;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the filled carton ready for shipment,but also indicating the manner in which opening thereof is facilitated;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of one corner of the carton;

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view of a typical corner of the filledcontainer with parts broken away for illustrative purposes;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a typical corner like that of FIGURE 1 of ablank but showing a modified structure;

FIGURE 10 show the modified structure in an intermediate state ofprocessing;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a typical corner of themodified container with parts broken away for illustrative purposes; and

FIGURE 12 is a cross sectional view on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 11.

ice

As an example, it will be recognized that in the pack aging andtransportation of books in large numbers it is important that thetransportation package be adapted to automatic filling and closing.

In the transportation of books by mail, for example, the container to besuccessful must afford ample protection for the corners of the books,especially hard cover books. It seems that in transportation they arefrequently damaged through normal handling by blows imparted to thecorners of the container. This is trueeven in the type of containerwhich has a pair of tubular side walls at an opposite pair of sides,between which the book lies with its top and bottom edges in contacttherewith. A purpose of this invention is to provide integral multi-plyprotection for the tubular sides at the corners and to further provide aconstruction for insuring that the closed container will accommodatewithout distortion these reinforcing multi-plies.

Another object of this invention is to incorporate in a carton blank ofthis type a construction which will provide for a minimum thickness ofthe blank during its storage and transportation to the filling plant.

Referring now to the embodiments of the invention illustrated, attentionis directed to FIG. 1. A blank indicated generally at 10 is cut from asheet of suitable fibrous material to have the shape illustrated. Thisblank is provide with a series of score lines SL to subdivide it intopanels. The panel 12 provides the bottom wall for the container.Extending in opposite directions from an opposite pair of edges are theend walls 14 and 18, to which are connected respectively the coverpanels 16 and 2t Either of these panels, in this case the panel 16, maybe provided with a further extension 22 having a series of short spacedcuts which will be referred to later.

The cover panel 16 is provided at opposite sides with integralextensions 24 and 26, and 28 and 30, which are separated by score linesSL as indicated. These extensions are each provided with slits S spacedfrom their inner ends by a distance substantially equal to or preferablyless than the width of the end wall panel 14. Similarly, the cover panel20 is provided with the side extensions 32 and 34, and 36 and 38 whichalso have the slits S.

The bottom wall panel 12 is also provided with extensions at its sides.These extensions are scored to define the panels 46, 4'2, 44 and 46.Similarly, at the opposite side the extension has the panels 48, 5t), 52and 54. The outermost and innermost score lines of the two sideextensions are provided with a series of spaced cuts C as shown.Attention is drawn to the fact that the length of these extensions isreduced at each end by being cut back as indicated at R. For purposes offuture reference it is noted that the areas set off by the slits S atthe inner ends of the panels 28, 30, 36 and 38 have been given thereference characters 28a, 36a, 36a and. 38a. The slits S each extendinto the score lines as shown at one end.

The blank of FIG. 1 is initially prepared for stacking andtransportation and becomes the article of manufacture of the box makingplant. This is accomplished by folding the side extensions of the coverpanels 16 and 20 upon themselves and then upon the cover panel to theposition shown in FIG. 2. By way of example, the extension 34 is foldedinto contact with extension 32 and the two together are in turn foldedinto contact with the adjacent areas of the end wall panel 18 and coverpanel 20. The underface of the panel 34 is provided with an adhesive soas to lock the folded structure in the position shown in FIG. 2, seealso FIG. 3. The same operations occur in the extensions at the otherside of panel 20 and at both sides of panel 16. As indicated in the nersare similarly shortened.

drawings, the slits S of associated extensions overlie each other.

In a similar manner the side extensions of the bottom panel 12 arefolded so that with respect to FIG. 1 the underface of panel 46, towhich an adhesive has been applied, is folded around into contact withthe upper face of panel 12 and adhered thereto. Adherence in the case ofall gluing connections is effected by pressure rollers with the resultthat extensions 40, 42 and 44 will be folded down flat. The relationshipof the folded parts is clearly indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein theextension 26 is shown glued to the panel 16, and the extension 46 issimilarly shown glued to the panel 12 lying behind the folded panels24-26. (FIG. 3). It might help to note that the extension group whichincludes the extension 54 for the opposite side is similarly glued tothe panel 12, and this is clearly shown in FIG. 7.

The blank has now been converted to an article of manufacture ready forerection at the packaging plant by automatic machinery. This article hasa minimum thickness, which facilitates stacking large numbers thereoffor shipment and storage.

In the book pack-aging plant the tubular side walls for the panel 12 areunfolded upwardly from the flattened position shown in FIG. 3, untilthey are overstressed to the dotted position shown in FIG. 4. Theoverstressing, based upon experience, is extended to the point that whenthe tubes thus lifted are relieved of pressure they will move back to anexactly vertical position, such as indicated in FIG. 7. These foldingsand unfoldings are facilitated 'by the combination of the score lines SLand the cuts C.

With the tubular sides erected to the vertical position the book B isdropped between them so that the spine lies at right angles to them, asillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The carton is then closed by folding the end walls 14- and 18 upwardlyto a vertical position and the cover panels 16 and 20 are then foldeddown into contact with the top faces of the tubular side walls. Thisbrings the flap 22 over the cover panel 20 to which it is glued in thearea indicated at G in FIG. 5, leaving the edge beyond the outline Cfree. The relationship of the various parts is further indicated in FIG.8, which clearly illustrates the manner in which the multi-plies,represented by the small extension 36a and 38a of end wall panel 18, arenested into the recess provided by the cutout 0n the line R. The ends ofthe tubular sides are closed and hence reinforced by three plies,comprising the plies a, 3&1 and the outer wall 18. The slits S extendinginto the score lines facilitate the formation of sharp corners at themulti-plies by relieving the stress in the carton material duringfolding. It is not necessary that glue be used on the face of panel 38acontacting wall 18. The same construction, of course, is present at eachof the corners of the container. The book B has a width at those sidesadjacent the tubular side walls, equal to the length of the tubular sidewalls. This brings the corners of the books, as shown in FIG. 8, rightup to the end wall 18 and, of course, similarly to the end wall 14.However, the multi-ply construction at the corners is very effective inprotecting the book against damage at its corners.

To open the package the free edge of the extension 22 is grasped andpulled upwardly to break the glue connection, whereupon the box can beeasily opened.

The blank of FIG. 9 is similar to the blank of FIG. 1

with one exception to be noted. The corner of the panel of FIG. 9 can berelated to the corresponding corner of FIG. 1 by noting that thecorresponding areas are indicated by a three numeral referencecharacter, the last two of which correspond. The one difference betweenthe two panels is that the extension 126 is shortened so as to terminateabout in line with the slit S on the panel 124-. The correspondingextensions at the other four cor- In addition, the extensions at thesides of the bottom panel 112 do not have the cutouts corresponding tothe cutouts indicated by the lines R in FIG. 1.

This blank is folded up in the same way as the blank of FIG. 1 wasfolded, and when the box is erected and closed the construction will beas shown in FIG. 11. In this case the reinforcing at the ends of thetubular side walls will comprise only two thicknesses. In other words,the open end of the tube will be closed, for example, by the extension124a of end wall panel 114 and will also be covered by the adjacent areaof the panel 114. This results, of course, by shortening the panel 126,as indicated in FIG. 9. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, for the cornerillustrated the end wall 114 overlies the inturned ply 124a which coversthe end of the associated tube.

For both structures the slits S facilitate the folding of the blank inthe multi-plied corners and minimize wrinkling of the material.

Since glue is applied to the underface of the panel 126 and none isapplied to the underface of the panel 124, the area 124a is not glued tothe overlaid areaof panel 114. The end walls fold easier because of thefreedom of this area. 7

From the above description it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that the subject matter of this invention is capable of somevariation in its detail. It is preferred, therefore, that the scope ofprotection afforded hereby be determined by the claims.

What is claimed:

1. A container formed of a single piece of fibrous material comprising abottom wall having a pair of tubular side walls and end walls extendingat right angles to said side walls, cover flaps extending longitudinallyfrom said end walls, overlying said tubular side walls and foldedextensions at the sides of said end walls reinforcing the container atits corners and additional folded extensions at the sides of said coverflaps providing multiplies overlying the ends of said tubular sidewalls.

2. In the combination of claim 1 said folded over extensions providingmulti-thicknesses at the sides of said end walls. I

3. In the combination of claim 1 said folded over extensions providingtwo reinforcing plies at the ends of said tubular side walls and saidadditional folded extensions providing three plies at the sides of saidcover flaps.

4. In the combination of claim 1 said folded over extensions providingthree reinforcing plies at the ends of said tubular side walls and saidadditional folded extensions providing three plies at the sides of saidcover flaps.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a single piece blank of fibrousmaterial providing a flat panel having tubes extending along an oppositepair of sides and folded flat to overlie the side edges of said fiatpanel, extensions of said fiat panel at the remaining pair of sidesdefining end wall panels and cover flaps joined to said end wall panels,said end wall panels and cover flaps lying in the plane of said flatpanel, extensions at the sides of said end wall panels and cover flapsfolded over and secured to said end wall panels and cover flapsrespectively to provide them with reinforcing and stiffening plies, saidend wall panel extensions and cover flap extensions being joinedtogether.

6. An article of manufacture comprising a single piece of fibrous boardshaped and scored to provide a container, said container when erecthaving a bottom wall, rectangular tubular walls at an opposite pair ofsides of said bottom wall, a pair of end wall panels at the remainingpair of sides of the bottom wall flaps at the sides of said end wallpanels remote from said bottom wall, said flaps forming a two-partcover, one cover flap having an extension overlying and secured to theother part with a free terminal edge forming a tear strip.

7. In the combination of claim 6 said end wall panels and said coverflaps having folded over extensions rein- :forcing the container at theends and tops of said tubular Walls respectively.

8. In the combination of claim 1, said folded extensions of said endwall panels being joined to said folded extensions of said cover flapsalong score lines, forming right angles therebetween; said folded endwall panel extensions being co-extensive with the ends of said tubularside Walls.

9. In the combination of claim 6, said folded-over end wall panelextensions being co-extensive with the ends of said tubular side walls.

10. In the combination of claim 7, said end wall panel extensions andsaid cover flap extensions being joined together by score lines.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Greve 229-33Ford.

Shrum 229-40 Aquino 229-40 X Inman 229-51 X Vander Lugt 229-34 X Bogren229-40 Plunkett 229-40 X JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. DAVIS T.MOORHEAD, Examiner.

1. A CONTAINER FORMED OF A SINGLE PIECE OF FIBROUS MATERIAL COMPRISING ABOTTOM WALL HAVING A PAIR OF TUBULAR SIDE WALLS AND END WALLS EXTENDINGAT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID SIDE WALLS, COVER FLAPS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLYFROM SAID END WALLS, OVERLYING SAID TUBULAR SIDE WALLS AND FOLDEDEXTENSIONS AT THE SIDES OF SAID END WALLS REINFORCING THE CONTAINER ATITS CORNERS AND ADDITIONAL FOLDED